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IndustryArena Forum > MetalWorking Machines > Milltronics > Milltronics, Partner IV 4
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    126

    Milltronics, Partner IV 4

    Anyone had the controller just go wonky on these? I

    Ive had it lock up, lots of wierd characters.
    Ive had a couple times , machine just starts going in a random direction.
    Even had it tell me Z axis over travel when the spindle is ~2" down. Then when I hit reset, the x, y axis jump. Real nice to drill bits when theyre in the part!

    Glad this is a back-up machine now. But any guesses? Bad connection somewhere, something on its way out? Id like it to be more that a 6500# paperweight used very occasionally.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    126
    Used this the other day. Go a z-axis error, 2" down from home, 1/2 way through a drill pattern. Also got question marks in my positions, programs even get all messed up. But turn off the machine, turn it back on, program is fine.

    No one's seen this kind of strange happenings before?


    Quote Originally Posted by Brian FRF View Post
    Anyone had the controller just go wonky on these? I

    Ive had it lock up, lots of wierd characters.
    Ive had a couple times , machine just starts going in a random direction.
    Even had it tell me Z axis over travel when the spindle is ~2" down. Then when I hit reset, the x, y axis jump. Real nice to drill bits when theyre in the part!

    Glad this is a back-up machine now. But any guesses? Bad connection somewhere, something on its way out? Id like it to be more that a 6500# paperweight used very occasionally.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Posts
    98

    check your electrical panel

    I had some issues somewhat similar after I was working in the shop electric panel .
    I had pulled the switch to my partner and the next week I had the machine screen go blank , and a few times it locked up .
    My disconnect switch is the older 3 pole knife type , and I noticed on close inspection that they did not all pull in the full distance . A bit of contact cleaner , and worked the switch a few times , and it seems to have fixed the problem ( I have to mention that these are really old switches that allow you to work the lever with the box door open , so I can see whats going on )
    Also make sure you have the machine properly grounded . You should have a seperate ground wire going all the way back to the box . Don't rely on the conduit as a ground . While your at it check the connections at the ground rods that should be out side the building .
    Maybe this helps or gives you a clue . Just try to remember if you did any other electrical work in the shop when this problem started .

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    171
    Try running a memory test. Hold down the #1 key while someone turns the machine on and
    it will test the memory banks. I've had bad memory chips cause similar problems to what
    you are describing, particularly the taking off in any direction and the chinese looking characters. The memory test will check all 9 banks off memory.

    Beware: this test will wipe out your parameters, so have them backed up in some manor.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    126
    Following advice, checked out the contacts at the main switch, all look good, but still poked at them to try and make them better. Really didnt do much, no real visual change, but I dont want to rule it out. Ive been running the mill the last 2 weeks now, with the back door open, thinking maybe too much heat buildup. So far, I have *knocking on wood* no more issues with controller insanity. Maybe the contact work took care of it, but Im really more thinking the circuits were getting a little warmer than they wanted to be.

    So for those searching, in the future, pop that back door open, and try that.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    16

    Milltronics Problem

    Just saw this post. Is there a battery perhaps that is bad ? Yea, where am I coming from with that. Anyway, I have had experiences like this with Anilam controls. Both controls are PC based. Just saying

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    96
    Quote Originally Posted by outctrl View Post
    Just saw this post. Is there a battery perhaps that is bad ? Yea, where am I coming from with that. Anyway, I have had experiences like this with Anilam controls. Both controls are PC based. Just saying
    The Milltronics 4 controller is not PC based, but it does have a D size battery on it's board. It's located on the top right, inside of the door. It's a 1-1/2"x3" aluminum box. Replacements are available at McMasters. If the battery was dead, you would lose your parameters when you turn off the main power.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    126
    Update on this:
    Opened the back door, been running it like that without locking up issues since. Seems its just not getting enough air movement.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    9

    Re: Milltronics, Partner IV 4

    Hello Brian, You still have this machine. I have the same Partner 1 built in 1988 that came with out a reset relay CR1 got the relay follow the schematic but original there are more wires that the schematics shows. I will like the see a picture how they wire it your. Thanks

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